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Thursday, February 16, 2012

In Memory of Zelda Kaplan

Yesterday 95 year old Zelda Kaplan passed away after collapsing, front row, at the Joanna Mastroianni Fashion Show. Zelda lived an amazing life.When we would get together she would always start by telling me how lucky she had been to have so many great opportunities. She traveled the world and collected hand woven fabrics and worked as an activist to bring the issue of female mutilation into discussion.

Zelda had a zest for life. She loved dancing and was a regular at New York's hottest clubs where she could be spotted dancing the night away in her brightly colored suits and matching hats. When I met Zelda the first thing she asked me was if I liked to dance. When it came to style she told me, "If you look well, then you heighten the atmosphere of a place, but remember to always be yourself. You can't turn marble into silk." Zelda definitely heightened the atmosphere wherever she went. I was lucky to have known her, even for such a short amount a time. I will cherish the advice she gave to me and remember her wonderful spirit always.

May she rest in peace! Watching her videos and her photos has been truly inspiring! I hope we can all live a long, joyful life and experience such a fabulous farewell. I mean, having your final moments at NYFW is badass!I hope people don't see my sense of humor as disrespect.I really think the world of her!

What a wonderful woman! Zelda is a role model for people of every age, men and women alike. Her passion for life and for being engaged in life right now, rather than pining for the past or fretting for the future, is a lesson we all need to learn. Here's to you Zelda!

Thank you for sharing such kinds words for an obviously very cool woman. Your blog is wonderful! We have to respect and admire these women. I lived with my great-aunt Theresa for many years. She passed away at 92 and always said the key to long life is "keep moving and have a hi-ball on Sunday!!" Donna

Oh Ari...I am so saddened by her loss. She was a beautiful woman with a zest for life. I am also sorry for your loss Ari, as I know how you love and appreciate all the ladies you interview. ::sigh::Sending you a hug::What a wonderful tribute for a wonderful woman. Rest In Peace beautiful Zelda Kaplan.

When I heard what happened, I felt bad. But it seems like she passed, doing what she enjoyed- living life. Thank you for sharing the 2 videos so we could learn more about this amazing woman. she is an inspiration!

Zelda had such awesome style and a zest for living. My sympathy goes out to her family and friends, but I also have to say that if you have to go, expiring in the front row of a show during NYFW is would be on my top ten list. She died while being fully engaged in her life, bravo!

awww :( may her soul rest in peace. one thing is for sure she certainly lived a full life and that's really what counts at the end of it all. You're lucky to have had the opportunity to feel her presence. She's a definite role model!!!xo Darling Bonnie thehouseofdarling.blogspot.com

I was at this show and when they carried her out it was so terrible. Despite music and models on the runway everyone caught what was going on in that side of the room, and there were these long unspeakably tense seconds when nobody focused on the clothes. Of course, we didn't know she would die later, we thought it was something less serious - the air gets bad at the shows and the music loud, so it might naturally be too much for more sensitive people. I'm still in shock. Thank you for this beautiful post.

Last night at a gathering of the 50 something goddesses I mentioned how Zelda was a woman of style who refused to fade into the woodwork like so many do in later years! Finding your true style allows you to be noticed and remembered with verve! Zelda is still an inspiration! RIP dear Zelda, your spirit continues to live on!! Sorry for your personal loss Ari!

Zelda was one of those Advanced Stlyle ladies who inspired me to get fit. I admired her style and zest for life and hope I can live life even half as fully as she did. And I loved reading about the textiles she collected during her travels, the "cloth", as she referred to it. Like others who have posted, I was sad when I read that she had passed, but then later when I read the circumstances surrounding it, I could not help but smile. How fitting, for a lady of such style. I have to think that it happened as she would have wanted it to. My condolences to her family. I hope they take comfort in knowing how many lives she touched for the better. Wanda in Edmonton

I was so touched by Zelda's magnificent nature. May she rest in peace and continue to inspire us all. Does anybody know where I can watch the HBO documentary 'Her name is Zelda' ? Would love to see it and I can't seem to find it anywhere !